68. The King's second answer to the Propositions presented at
Newcastle.

[December 20, 1646. Journals of the House of Lords, viii. 627. See
Great Civil War, iii. 183.]

Charles R.

His Majesty's thoughts being always sincerely bent to the peace of his
kingdoms, was and will be ever desirous to take all ways which might the most
clearly make appear the candour of his intentions to his people: and to this
end could find no better way than to propose a personal free debate with his
two Houses of Parliament upon all the present differences; yet finding, very
much against his expectations, that this offer was laid aside, His Majesty bent
all his thoughts to make his intentions fully known, by a particular answer to
the propositions delivered to him in the name of both kingdoms, 24th July last:
but the more he endeavoured it, he more plainly saw that any answer he could
make would be subject to misinformations and misconstructions, which upon his
own paraphrases and explanations he is most confident will give so good
satisfaction, as would doubtless cause a happy and lasting peace. Lest
therefore that good intentions may produce ill effects, His Majesty again
proposes and desires to come to London, or any of his houses thereabouts, upon
the public faith and security of his two Houses of Parliament and the Scots
Commissioners, that he shall be there with honour, freedom and safety: where,
by his personal presence, he may not only raise a mutual confidence between him
and his people, but also have those doubts cleared and those difficulties
explained to him, without which he cannot, but with the aforesaid mischievous
inconveniences, give a particular answer to the Propositions: and with which he
doubts not but so to manifest his real intentions for the settling of religion,
the just privileges of Parliament, with the freedom and propriety of the
subject, that it shall not be in the power of wicked and malicious men to
hinder the establishing of that firm peace which all honest men desire:
"assuring them that as he will make no other demands but such as he believes
confidently to be just, and much conducing to the tranquillity of the people:
so he will be most willing to condescend unto them in whatsoever shall be
really for their good and happiness: not doubting likewise but you will also
have a due regard to maintain the just power of the Crown, according to your
many protestations and professions: for certainly except King and people have
reciprocal care each of other, neither can be happy.

To conclude, 'tis your King who desires to be heard, the which if
refused to a subject by a King, he would be thought a tyrant for it, and for
that end which all men profess to desire. Wherefore His Majesty conjures you,
as you desire to show yourselves really what you profess, even as you are good
Christians and subjects, that you will accept this his offer, which he is
confident God will so bless, that it will be the readiest means by which these
kingdoms may again become a comfort to their friends, and a terror to their
enemies.